THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 22 May 1907, Page 3

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

WINSTON CHURCHILL TAKEN TO TO TASK. London, Hay 20. The Times says: -'The Right Hon. 11. Asquith assures us that the Conference had not strained the friendly feeling between the Home Government ami the representatives of the self-governing States in the least degree. Mr Churchill's speech in an uncompromising denial of Mr Asquith'a optimism. How Imperial unity, or even the most ordinary good fei'ling can be promoted by Mr Churchill's reckless language we cannot imagine. Preference after all, is a colonial policy, and has been reaffirmed in our midst, by colonial statesmen; yet he glories in the fact that the Government banged the door on preference. Another strange lapse from st&te&manship and good manners was his lofty rebuke implying that the Pre miers had sinned against the laws cf hospitality. The Premiers did not come to be muzzled. Our knowledge of thj Conference speeches on preference is restricted only toa meagre precis. To contend that the Premiers should thr: after be sifrnced because they might offend Ministers" amour propre surely is folly. It is only going a step iJyond this to declare that th« Premirs hand no business to ask us to modify the fiscal policy at all—a view apparently seriously held in some quarters. The Premiers appreciate the situation, and believe the educative effect of the Conference will be most Important in its I results."

MR. DEAKIN'S FAREWELL MESSAGE. ,jt , Received 21st, 9.68 pan. *!r London, May 21. Mr. Deakin's farewell message expresses grateful thanks to Sir H. CampbellBannerman, Lord Elgin and other Ministers at the Conferenece for constant courtesies, to Parliament and the people of the Motherland for unbounded hospitality, and to the press of all shades for generous assistance. The message says any differences of personal opinion will disappear when the greatness of the occasion and the value of such meetings is recalled. "My own unaffected gratitude most not be taken as any qualification of my recent suggestions, that the Conference in future should not assemble While Parliament is in session, nor where social obligations are numerous, and that none of those attending should be official guests. We hope to see within the next four years an independent Imperial Secretariat acting with, and for, the independent representatives of the Government of the Motherland and of the selfgoverning dominions, in providing their practical co-operation towards Imperial Unity of aim and action.